Judging Nebraska’s success this season will be tricky

By Marc Hudgens  |   Sunday, June 08, 2008  |  Comments( 0 )

Nebraska Cornhuskers
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The knee-jerk response to what should be the expectations for the Nebraska Cornhuskers this season is a winning record and a bowl win. Looking at last season’s 5-7 mark, it sounds easy. But then again, it may not be.

Any head coaching change, even one perceived as positive, throws the entire formula out with the bathwater. That's not to say new skipper Bo Pelini won’t be successful at Nebraska; chances are he will. But when the very underlying philosophy transforms at a program, it becomes difficult to make predictions.

Regardless, there should be some marked improvements by season’s end:

1. Allow fewer points. By far, this is the biggest key to the team’s success. The Huskers allowed their opponents to score almost 38 points per game last season. With Bo Pelini’s defensive expertise, however, there should be no reason to expect such a horrid defensive showing this year. Even holding teams to, say, 29 points or fewer would be a significant improvement, albeit not ideal.

2. Beat Virginia Tech. The Hokies, who have two conference titles in the last four years, are indeed the team to beat in the ACC. At the same time, this is the same team that lost embarrassingly to LSU, ironically for which Pelini was defensive coordinator, last season and then gave the weakest BCS conference another black eye by letting Kansas beat them in the Orange Bowl. Like many other ACC teams, Tech has a big problem beating good BCS opponents. When you consider the Hokies lost a lot on defense, this should be a winnable game in Lincoln. Beating Virginia Tech and heading into the conference schedule at 4-0 will go a long way in building confidence.

3. Beat either Oklahoma or Texas Tech. Given that both are away games, this will be a daunting task. But if Nebraska can escape either Norman or Lubbock with a win, you can safely say Pelini has arrived.

4. Beat Colorado. This is a must in order to erase the 65-51 debacle last year in Boulder. Moreover, you have to end the season on a good note, especially because the finale takes place in Lincoln.

5. Win three of the last four. If the Huskers fall to Oklahoma, they must win their final three games to remain respectable. If Oklahoma goes on to play for the BCS title, those who pick the bowl matchups likely won’t hold a loss to the Sooners against Nebraska.

Even if just four of these five scenarios come to pass, it’s not out of the question to expect a winning record, both conference and overall, a postseason ranking and a bowl appearance. Perhaps the Gator or Holiday Bowl would be tempted to take a hot Nebraska team, especially if scenario No. 5 happens.

But with a brand new coaching staff, there will be far fewer assumptions after the Virginia Tech game. That one will be crucial.
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About Marc Hudgens

Marc Hudgens has been with RealFootball365 since 2007, covering college football, specifically Clemson and Oregon. He also writes for SouthernPigskin.com covering the ACC. He enjoys the acidic wit of Hunter S. Thompson, is a freelance graphic designer and has written several screenplays. He ...
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